Top Tips for Finding Vacant Property Owners

Vacant property can be a gold mine for digging up investment real estate deals and profits. The challenge is finding the real owners to make an offer. Where are vacant property owners and how do you find them?

The following top tips for finding vacant property owners are recommended in a report by Antonio Edwards of Real Estate Rich and Famous.

Watch Really Flip Now

See what happens next when we film a real house flipping business behind the scenes

Using Property Tax Records to Find Vacant Property Owners

One of the fastest and easiest ways to find owners is to simply look in public records. County tax records often include:

The owner’s current address

Details on the property such as square footage, tax value, plat maps and more

Tax bill payments

Improvements and/or permits

Loans against the property

Past sales data

This information is not only helpful for locating owners, but can also help with your due diligence.

Using Direct Mail to Contact Vacant House Owners

Direct mail works but one of the pitfalls is dead ends and returned mail. Consider using inexpensive postcards, and adding “DO NOT FORWARD – ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED” on the front. The post office will help you update their address – but be aware. There may be a fee. It can be a small price to pay to get a really great deal on a property. Banks, lenders, and creditors often do this to keep track of borrowers.

Using Personal Notes and Flyers to Reach Vacant Property Owners

Many owners of vacant property check on their assets. Or they may have a local property manager, friend, or property watch service do it for them. Leaving a note or flyer on the door may get through better than mail or a phone call. Some bold property locators even post “We Buy Houses” signs at or near the property. It may illicit some angry calls, but they do get noticed.

Use Skip Tracers to Find Owners of Vacant Houses

You can also hire a professional skip tracer or private investigator to track them down and provide current contact information. This might cost a lot less than you think (as little as $10 to $20 in some cases) and it may be well worth the investment to get the really sweet deals.

Neighbors Can Be a Wealth of Information

If you’re not afraid to get out in the street and talk to people, just go for a friendly visit the neighbors. Someone on the street, or even at the local shop probably knows who the owner is, or was, and where they went. Have a flyer or business card on hand to give out.

(One of) the most effective methods for finding owners of vacant houses is to talk to the neighbors on either side of the subject property and perhaps the neighbor across the street. Explain that you are interested in buying the house. The neighbors almost always know how to get in touch with the owner.- REI Rich and Famous

Don’t Forget the Obvious – Google

In many cases, you may already be holding the keys to finding these vacant property owners in the palm of your hand. Try Googling them. Facebook and LinkedIn searches can work too.